Have you checked out the new VFR? It got mixed reviews from the mags, but people who own them love them. It handles better than any of the big STs and is very comfy. Optional hard bags will drive the price up some, but you can pick up leftover 2011s for pretty cheap (relatively speaking...)

Yes. I've owned a vfr. The new one is cool, I'm looking for something a bit more relaxed.

I intend on riding the Ducati today. I'll let you guys know what I think after lunch

Have you checked out the new VFR? It got mixed reviews from the mags, but people who own them love them. It handles better than any of the big STs and is very comfy. Optional hard bags will drive the price up some, but you can pick up leftover 2011s for pretty cheap (relatively speaking...)

They are cheap alright, no range for a touring platform, heavy and ugly. No one wants them other than die hard VFR fans. My riding buddy has one and will be selling it at the end of the season because he does not like it, right from the get go, he bought it because he thought it would grow on him, no character at all. He is going back to the Triumph line hopefully when the new 1200's hit the floor.

If you lived close to Lansing Mi, I would let you ride my C14. I have the flys pulled, a slip on, kn filter and a power commander with a performance map in it. Can you say throttle wheelies at 60mph in 2nd gear.

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TEDI have been married longer than I have not been married. I have worked on my job longer than I have not worked at my job. Motorcycles, snowmobiles, ATVs, jeeps, and a wife....Where the hell is my money going again? Life has been good to me

Honestly, for commuting, I don't see either of those bikes being all that great -- especially not with panniers.

I guess it depends on the type of commuting you do, but if you're riding in a lot of urban congestion, you want something small, light and narrow. What's the point of riding a motorcycle if you can't shimmy through the gaps between cars? Try parking a giant 650+ lbs. S-T bike on a hilly side-street between parallel parked cars. It sucks!

You might be better off getting a used SV650 or something (ER6n? Monster? Honda 919?) for commuting duty, then a dedicated S-T machine for weekend trips.

What's the point in getting a motorcycle so wide and heavy that you have to operate it like a car? I'd fucking stab myself in the face if I had to wait in line like a car.

Honestly, for commuting, I don't see either of those bikes being all that great -- especially not with panniers.

I guess it depends on the type of commuting you do, but if you're riding in a lot of urban congestion, you want something small, light and narrow. What's the point of riding a motorcycle if you can't shimmy through the gaps between cars? Try parking a giant 650+ lbs. S-T bike on a hilly side-street between parallel parked cars. It sucks!

You might be better off getting a used SV650 or something (ER6n? Monster? Honda 919?) for commuting duty, then a dedicated S-T machine for weekend trips.

What's the point in getting a motorcycle so wide and heavy that you have to operate it like a car? I'd fucking stab myself in the face if I had to wait in line like a car.

I guess it depends on your commute. Mine (when I have to) is to a suburban area data center with a motorcycle parking area. The C14 is a fantastic commuter bike for that. A couple miles of secondary roads, slab for 20 mins, another 10 miles of secondary roads and I'm there, 40 miles each way. No urban congestion, anything from light to heavy traffic on the slab which the C14 handles easily, general suburban traffic the rest of the way. I can't see a smaller bike being better for my commute.

I do have a Duc, Streetfighter S - one thing that Ducati does get right is all the little bits and peices you can put all over it provided you have the green to work with. So there is that side to consider.

I also have a C14, second one, first died due to catostrophic engine failure which was resolved with the best customer service experience I have ever had. I certainly do like the C14 for riding long trips etc. I ride it in all weather, rain, snow, hot, cold; I do not let this bike sit in the garage keeping the Duc company. I do not think it handles like its weight would seem to imply. Once it gets going I feel the handling is exceptional for as big of a bike as it is. I cannot compair it to my Streetfighter - that is not a viable comparison. It is what it is - Just wish I had a cruise control for it.

I can't tell you anything good or bad about the MST. I am quite happy with my Streetfighter and I am certain you will be happy with either. As I stated above - really depends on how deep your wallet is.

(Honestly when I filter I do it in a safe/slow/non-crazy way. And I've ridden right past police and they don't seem to mind either. )

I really need a damn GoPro to show you guys the insanity I deal with on the Downtown Connector at 5:30 every afternoon. It's definitely an extreme form of riding. But having a motorcycles honestly saves me probably 30 minutes or more on a daily basis so I don't mind.

I've just become convinced that for city riding you want something NARROW and light. Even comfort isn't all THAT important since you're probably not riding all that long a distance.

About the Flies (Secondary Throttle Plates) On 2010 and later C-14's they don't make that much difference, Kawasaki has changed the mapping so removing the flies really doesn't have as much effect on low end as it does on the pre 2010's.

There are two places that you can send your ECU and have it reflashed so the bike will act like the secondary flies are removed without losing traction control.

I have an '09 C14 and with flies out, BMC filter and Muzzy slipon the bike dynoed at 150 rwhp and 97 lb ft of torque. This bike will haul butt. I put on a set of Speigler LSL bars and it transformed the handling on the bike 1000%, making transitions in the twisties a hell of a lot smoother and easier than the ape hangers that come on the bike.

On the commuting, first we don't lane split. Second there isn't much traffic to speak of and I park in a garage with plenty of space. Additionally, the MTS 1200 is very light, fairly narrow and feels great.

It's a moot point now though. The deal is sealed. The test ride made my mind up.

It's perfect. It is light, nimble, quick, comfortable, fun, just a joy to ride. Very nice motorcycle. For the first time in a long time, I even enjoyed riding behind traffic (usually on the sport bike I was in pain and dying to get around so I could get moving again). The bike handles very well. It's exactly what I'm looking for.

Wind protection was surprisingly decent, sure it could be improved for a really long ride but it was definitely adequate. Very stable and easy to ride motorcycle. Even on the highway it felt great at high speed, which was a bit of a concern for me for a lighter tall bike.The build quality and fit and finish of the bike is fantastic.

I was at home and comfortable with the bike within a mile. Just gelled with me right off the bat.

After a bit of negotiating I have bought the Mulitstrada . They just got the color I wanted in this afternoon, they are trying to prep it for me now but worst case I'll pick it up tomorrow.

It's perfect. It is light, nimble, quick, comfortable, fun, just a joy to ride. Very nice motorcycle. For the first time in a long time, I even enjoyed riding behind traffic (usually on the sport bike I was in pain and dying to get around so I could get moving again). The bike handles very well. It's exactly what I'm looking for.

Wind protection was surprisingly decent, sure it could be improved for a really long ride but it was definitely adequate. Very stable and easy to ride motorcycle. Even on the highway it felt great at high speed, which was a bit of a concern for me for a lighter tall bike.The build quality and fit and finish of the bike is fantastic.

I was at home and comfortable with the bike within a mile. Just gelled with me right off the bat.

After a bit of negotiating I have bought the Mulitstrada . They just got the color I wanted in this afternoon, they are trying to prep it for me now but worst case I'll pick it up tomorrow.

I was very impressed with this bike!

Congrats; welcome to the club. Your feelings match mine, plus I really like the upright riding position and it fits a tall rider really well.